REGULATORY:

Final rule: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; This final rule amends Marketing Order No. 959, which regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas. The amendments will reduce the size of the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee) and make necessary conforming changes. Info HERE

Notice of public meeting: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee). The meeting is being convened to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry. Info HERE

Proposed rule: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA; We are proposing to amend the licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare Act regulations to promote compliance, reduce licensing fees, and strengthen existing safeguards that prevent individuals and businesses who have a history of noncompliance from obtaining a license or working with regulated animals. This action will reduce regulatory burden with respect to licensing and will more efficiently ensure licensees’ sustained compliance with the Act. We are further proposing to strengthen the veterinary care and watering standards for regulated dogs to better align the regulations with the humane care and treatment standards set by the Animal Welfare Act. Additionally, we are proposing to make several miscellaneous changes for clarity and to correct typographical errors. Info HERE

Notice of a modified system of records: Department of Agriculture, USDA.; As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, this notice proposes that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) revisions to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Applicant/Borrower USDA/FSA-14, which include information on current, former, and prospective applicants and borrowers including members of entities. The system contains information on agricultural producers in the United States requesting or obtaining the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs benefits. In general, USDA proposes to revise the system of records to make minor corrections and updates to meet additional requirements. USDA is also revising the system of records to add 10 new routine uses. Info HERE

Notice of a modified system of records: Department of Agriculture, USDA. This notice proposes to revise to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Farm Records File (Automated) USDA, which includes information for certain Farm Service Agency under (FSA) Farm Programs and certain Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs that are administered by FSA on behalf of CCC. The records include information about the majority of agricultural producers in the United States. In general, USDA is modifying the system of records to add three new routine uses and make updates to one routine use to comply with recent requirements. Info HERE

Notice of a modified system of records: Department of Agriculture, USDA; As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, this notice proposes that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) revisions to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Applicant/Borrower USDA/FSA-14, which include information on current, former, and prospective applicants and borrowers including members of entities. The system contains information on agricultural producers in the United States requesting or obtaining the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs benefits. In general, USDA proposes to revise the system of records to make minor corrections and updates to meet additional requirements. USDA is also revising the system of records to add 10 new routine uses. Info HERE

Notice of a modified system of records: Department of Agriculture, USDA; This notice proposes to revise to the Privacy Act System of Records titled Farm Records File (Automated) USDA, which includes information for certain Farm Service Agency under (FSA) Farm Programs and certain Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs that are administered by FSA on behalf of CCC. The records include information about the majority of agricultural producers in the United States. In general, USDA is modifying the system of records to add three new routine uses and make updates to one routine use to comply with recent requirements. Info HERE

Notice and request for comments: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for the WIC Participant and Program Characteristics study. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection and the data collected from this study will be used to produce biennial reports on participant and program characteristics in WIC for 2020 and 2022. Info HERE

Notice: Forest Service, USDA; This notice updates the newspaper that will be used by the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest, of the Southwestern Region to publish legal notices. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public the newspaper the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions, notices of decision, and notices of opportunity to file an objection or appeal. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment, appeal, or object, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments, appeals, or objections were timely. Info HERE

Notice and request for comments; National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA; In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) intention to request approval to extend the currently approved information collection in support of authorizations to use the 4-H Club Name and/or Emblem. Info HERE

Proposed collection; comments request: Rural Housing Service, USDA; In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service’s (RHS) intention to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of our program for Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects. Info HERE